MLB DRAFT
The 2016 Major League Baseball draft was held last week. The Flames had 2 signees selected in the first 3 rounds. Outfielder Alex Kirilloff was drafted 15th overall by the Minnesota Twins. Kirilloff could sign for as much as $2.8 million, so it’s hard to imagine he would end up playing for the Flames. Khalil Lee was drafted in the 3rd round by the Kansas City Royals. Lee has already signed with the Royals, according to the Washington Post. Senior Dalton Britt was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 31st round and pitcher Parker Bean was selected in the 36th round by the Milwaukee Brewers. Bean is a junior and no formal decision has been announced as to whether or not he will sign with the Brewers.
FLAMES TO HOST VCU, PLAY INDIANA
It’s the time of the year when nonconference basketball schedules start to leak out. So far, we’ve learned that Liberty will play host to VCU on November 15th and will play at Indiana on November 19th. Both games were first reported by CBS’ Jon Rothstein. The game against the Rams is the return trip of a home and home series which began last season. VCU defeated the Flames, 85-57, on December 27th last season in Richmond. The meeting with the Hoosiers will be the first ever meeting between the two schools. Indiana is coming off a sweet 16 appearance.
MCKAY ADDS GRADUATE TRANSFER
The Flames announced the signing of Ray Chen this week. He’s a 6’1″ combo guard from Taiwan, and has spent the past 3 seasons playing for Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. At Belmont Abbey, a Division II school, Chen averaged 16 points and 3.5 assists per game to lead the team last season. He also shot 48% from the field, 36% from 3, and 78% from the free throw line. Chen will have one season of eligibility remaining and is immediately eligible.
GIELO WORKED OUT FOR 76ERS
Former Flame Tomasz Gielo, who transferred to Ole Miss for his senior season last year, had a workout with the Philadelphia 76ers this week. Gielo is hopeful to be selected in the 2nd round of next week’s NBA Draft or get an opportunity to work out with a team this summer.
KURGAT FINISHES 4TH AT NATIONALS
Liberty sophomore Ednah Kurgat finished 4th place in the women’s 5K final at the 2016 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Her finish earned first team All-American honors as she becomes the first Lady Flame ever to earn NCAA Division I All-America honors in cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field during the same athletic year.
FIRST FOOTBALL COMMIT FOR 2017
Coach Gill and his staff picked up the first commitment in the class of 2017 this week from Remington Green. Green is a 6’1”, 210 pound linebacker from King George, Virginia. Liberty is the lone reported offer from the King George High product.
